Susan MeierRelocating to Malta inevitably involves sorting out a new mobile phone contract. For our clients—many of whom are constantly on the move and rely heavily on their phones for business—this is a priority. It is a topic we are asked about frequently, so I wanted to address it here on the blog.
The Main Providers: Melita, GO, and Vodafone
There are three main players in the Maltese market: Melita, GO, and Vodafone (now Epic). Melita is one of the largest providers on the island and also manages a significant portion of the local internet and cable infrastructure. At our law firm, we use Melita ourselves. While internet outages do happen occasionally—a reality of island life—their customer support is generally helpful in getting things back on track.
Pay-as-you-go or Contract: The Big Question
Just as in the UK or Germany, mobile services are generally split into two categories: prepaid (pay-as-you-go) and contracts, which typically run for two years. If you aren't in Malta full-time but still want a local number, prepaid is usually the smarter choice. Otherwise, a contract offers better value with various inclusive packages. Pricing is roughly comparable to other European countries; you can expect standard monthly costs for a plan with flat-rate calls and a data package to sit around the €30–€50 mark, depending on the specific inclusions.
Getting Connected and Buying Hardware
You can sign up for a contract at any local retail shop or online. For the spontaneous among us, you might even find mobile pop-up stands at major events where you can sign a contract on the spot and walk away with a new phone.
However, when it comes to the hardware itself, it is worth paying attention to the price tag. This is where Malta's "island status" becomes noticeable. Electronics can be more expensive here due to importation costs, so it is often cheaper to bring a handset with you from your home country or buy it online before you arrive. Availability can also be an issue; new models often land in Malta later than on the mainland. If you are hoping to get your hands on the latest iPhone the day it launches, you might be in for a wait. in that case, buying abroad is definitely the way to go.
